How to Hide Greasy Hair

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

If you didn’t have time to wash your hair the night before, styling it in the morning can be a nightmare! Dirty-looking, oily hair can be a real bother. However, there are several ways to hide your greasy hair such as wearing your hair down in styles that hide or distract from your roots, trying different updos (like the classic messy bun), and concealing your hair with fun accessories. And when all else fails, you can turn to dry shampoo to hide your oily roots!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Your Hair Down

1
Wear a messy top knot at the crown of your hair for a casual look. Start by separating the crown of your hair from the rest. Tease the top section lightly and pull it back into a messy topknot-style bun. Secure it with pins and gently pull the sides of the bun to add more thickness and dimension.^{[1]
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- A messy topknot is an easy and fast way to hide your greasy roots.
- This hairstyle is great for people with all hair textures who have medium to long hair.
2
Sleek back your hair if you want a celebrity-inspired, editorial look. Brush your hair thoroughly and straighten the ends if your hair isn’t already naturally straight. Once all the tangles are out, tuck the sides of your hair behind your ears and brush it towards the back, leaving no part or discernible roots.^{[2]
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therighthairstyles.com/tips-tricks-and-styles-for-greasy-hair/11/}
- Add gel or mousse if you want a style that looks extra wet.
- Spray your hair completely with a non-aerosol hairspray so it holds in place.
- This style works best for shoulder-length hair or shorter.
- The look is difficult to achieve if you have bangs or a layered cut.
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3
Make a deep side part for a voluminous style. Parting your hair down the center can make it look flat and accentuate any greasiness, so instead, part it to the side to reduce the oily look. Using a comb, part your hair so there’s about double the amount of hair on one side than on the other. Mist with hairspray so the deep part stays in place.^{[3]
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- This style will distract from any straggly ends and oily roots.
- This is great for people with thin hair because it gives the illusion of thicker, more voluminous hair and can work for people of all hair textures.
- Add a bit of dry shampoo to the part to reduce the shine in your roots.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Noël Reid-Killings
  Celebrity Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.} Dry shampoo can soak up some of the oil and grease from your hair.
4
Add extra volume to your crown to make your hair look extra thick. Separate the crown of your hair and tease the underside of your roots with a teasing comb. Place the section back with the rest of your hair and lightly smooth the top with the comb.^{[5]
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- Spray a light-hold hairspray to keep the added volume throughout the entirety of the day.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Noël Reid-Killings
  Celebrity Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.}
- Make sure to not add too much hairspray or your hair will be weighed down and turn flat very quickly.
- Follow the hairspray with a little bit of cool air from a blow dryer.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Noël Reid-Killings
  Celebrity Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Different Updos

1
Wear a messy bun as an everyday style. Gather your hair into a ponytail using just your fingers and secure it with a hair tie. Wrap your hair around the hair band and secure it with pins. Gently pull the sides of your bun to add more volume.^{[8]
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therighthairstyles.com/tips-tricks-and-styles-for-greasy-hair/11/}
- For an extra messy look, pull out some fine strands around your face and at the nape of your neck.
2
Go for a flower bun hairstyle if you want an elegant party look. Part your hair down the middle and take a piece of hair from either side. Gather the 2 strands at the back of your head and twist them together to form a small bun. Secure it with pins or a clear hair elastic. Place several of these buns vertically on your head until you run out of hair.^{[9]
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therighthairstyles.com/tips-tricks-and-styles-for-greasy-hair/2/}
- Flower buns are particularly great if you have medium length hair and want to hide greasy hair that has a lot of product from previous days.
- Pull thicker strands of hair from either side if you want fewer or thicker buns.
- If you have any hair leftover that isn’t long enough to form a bun at the back of your head, pin it under the mini-buns.
3
Add a small braid to a sleek ponytail for a fun twist. Using a comb, brush your hair towards the back of your head. If you want a low ponytail, gather it at the nape of your neck. If you want a high ponytail, gather the hair at the crown of your head and tie it with a hair band.
- Take a small section of hair from your ponytail, do a simple 3 strand braid, and tie it off with a clear elastic. Wrap the small braid around the hair tie that's holding your ponytail and secure it with pins. This is an easy but fun twist to an otherwise simple hairstyle.^{[10]
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- A ponytail with an accent braid looks great on people with long, straight hair.
4
Make a braid for an interesting, playful style. Start by pulling your hair into a ponytail at the back of your head. Divide the ponytail down the middle. Separate a very small piece of hair from the outside of the left section. Pull this across the top of the left section and over the right section. Separate a very small piece from the outside of the right section and pull this piece across the top of the right section and over the left section. Repeat until you run out of hair, alternating between the left and right sections. Once you’re done, secure it with a clear elastic.
- For a cleaner look, cut out the initial hair band that was holding your ponytail together.^{[11]
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- Don’t twist the hair when you bring it across because this will muddle the look and prevent clear distinction between each strand of hair.
- People with curly and wavy hair suit braids because the thickness of their hair creates a braid with a lot of volume. Just be sure to spray detangler if your hair is prone to knots.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Hair Accessories

1
Wear a hat if you’re running low on time. If you need to be out the door quickly but want to hide your oily hair, wearing a hat is a great alternative. A cap with the logo of your favorite sports team, a beanie, or a sun hat are all great when you need to get going.^{[12]
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2
Add a silk scarf to make yourself look more put together. You can customize the look based on how you fold the scarf. For a thinner headband style, fold it into the width you desire and place it slightly behind your hairline before tucking it behind your ears. Tie it at the nape of your neck and secure it with pins if it feels a bit too loose.^{[13]
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- If you want the full width of the silk scarf to show, scrunch the scarf, place it slightly behind your hairline, tuck it behind your ears, and tie it at the nape of your neck.^{[14]
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- Opt for a bright or boldly patterned silk scarf if you’re wearing a simple outfit.
- If you want to accessorize a ponytail and your scarf is long enough, leave the ends loose once you tie it at the nape of your neck.
3
Wear a headband for a simple style. Pick either a wide or narrow headband to cover oily roots and keep hair neat. Wider headbands will help hide dirty hair. Look for various styles and designs to find one that fits your look.
4
Use a claw clip to easily pull your hair back. This is a very fast style that looks great on long hair. Twist your hair towards the back of your head and secure it with a claw clip. You can pull out a few strands for an effortless and messy look.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I hide my oily hair with hair products?

Noël Reid-Killings
Celebrity Hair Stylist
Noël Reid-Killings is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Noël New York Salon & Boutique. With over a decade of experience, Noël specializes in curating and customizing hair solutions for all hair types and textures. She has worked with countless A-list celebrities including Alicia Keys, Ciara, Yara Shahidi, and Simone Missick. Her work has been featured on makeover shows and in magazines including Essence, Sophisticates Black Hair, Teen Vogue, Elle, 21Ninety, WWD, POPSUGAR, Allure, The Cut, The Huffington Post, and Swaay.

Noël Reid-Killings

Celebrity Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Use hairspray, dry shampoo, and sea spray to help hide your greasy roots.
Question

How do you get rid of greasy hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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If your hair often looks oily, you are probably over-washing or washing with a shampoo that is too harsh (or possibly both). Use a milder shampoo and wash no more than 3 times a week; it may take a few months for your scalp to adjust and slow oil production.
Question

What hairstyles should I do with greasy hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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I like a classic high ponytail or topknot when my hair feels greasy as both of these actually look better with oily roots.